Improvement in clasps for trunks



L RANSOM CLASP FORTRUNKS, 6w.

Patented Oct. 13, 1868;

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gated Qtitiw'.

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LOUIS RAN soM, opLAissmeBURG, NEW YORK, AssIcNoaBYnEsNE ASSIGNMENT, 'ro LOUIS RANSOM AND EUGENE HYATT, 0E SAME PLACE.

- Letters Patent No. 82,988, dated October 13, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS FOR TRUNKS, 84o

The Schedule referred to in these'Lettem Patent animal-ring part of the same.

burg, in the county of Rcnsseiaer, and State of New York, have invented a new and usetiil Inqrrovement in Clasps for Trunks and otlr-r similar. articles; and

I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon.

The clasp, which forins the subject-matter of this invention, is designed to'be used on cylindrical trunks, made in pursuance of Letters Patent granted to me, hearing date the 20th day of August, 1867, but it may be applied to' trunks, boxes, 850., of other forms.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the clasp;

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same; and

Figure 3 is a top view. V

The clasp consists of two sepa-rz'ite parts, A and B. The part A is attached to the,body of the trmik, and the part B to the lid. Each of said parts, A and B, has a central longitudinal slot, 6 and d, in which a tongue, 0, fits, said slots so coinciding as to form a continuous slot to receive the tongue 0 when the lid is closed. Said slots, in the part A, is enlarged at its inner end to receive the head'c of the tongue, said enlargement corresponding in form with the said head c, as shown in fig. 3. Said tongue 0 is pivoted at f to the part 'B, and a spring, (I, presses'against the lower end of said tongue to keep it in position when shut down, or, when open, actingupon the same principle as the spring of a connnon pocket-knife upon the blade thereof. Said tongue 0 is provided with a thumbcatch, i, to raise it, for the purpose of opening thetrunk. When the tongue is shut down, its outer surface is flush with the outer surface of A and B, and its head 0 fits into the recess 1' in A, so that the lid' cannot open unless the tongue he raised. It is manifest that a catcher heck of different form from the head 0' may be made on the end of the tongue 0, to perform the same function. t

' This clasp is intended as a substitute for the straps and buckles .in common use on trunks. It is not only much more convenient, on account of the less time'required in adjusting it, but it more effectually prevents the'vibration or chucking of the lid.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to .s yure by Letters Patent, isi- A trunk-clasp, consisting of the two parts A and B, the clasp-tongue c, and spring (I, constructed, conibined, and operating substantially as described.

A LOUIS RANSOM ;v Witnesses:

' ALX. KIRKPATRICK,

A. SEAMAX. 

